JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Top South African lawyer Leslie Sedibe became the new CEO of the South African Football Association (SAFA) , the Sowetan newspaper reported on Thursday.

    Sedibe was introduced by SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani at a media briefing on Thursday morning. He replaces Raymond Hack who was relieved of his duties on Wednesday.

    The Sowetan said Sedibe had agreed to serve as acting CEO of SAFA until Dec. 31, when Danny Jordaan will be returning to the federation. Jordaan is currently CEO of South Africa's organizing committee of FIFA 2010 World Cup.

    Sedibe's wife Sonia Sedibe is an actress who starred in a popular soap opera on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Sedibe is also an interim board member of the SABC.

    Regarding the departure of Hack, SAFA president Nematandani said: "Every organization has a vision, and in terms of SAFA, we felt it was correct that we released him from his duties."

    Hack said: "I'm not leaving under any cloud. I want to assure you that there is no animosity between me and the SAFA executive committee."